French President Emmanuel Macron Worried About War Escalation As Biden Calls Putin ‘Butcher’

France President Emmanuel Macron recently showed his displeasure against World leaders hurling derogatory words at Russia’s President Vladimir Putin following his forceful invasion of Ukraine. This is coming after the United States President Joe Biden recently called Putin a ‘butcher’ who cannot remain in power. He however warned against verbal insults as it can lead to the escalation of things following the Russian-Ukraine war.

Macron, who is hell-bent on brokering peace between Russia and Ukraine, told French broadcasters that he sees his task in the conflict as achieving first a ceasefire and then the total withdrawal of Russian troops by diplomatic means. He further stated that for this to be achieved, there should be a cease in words or actions that will escalate the conflict. Amid the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war, Paris has kept diplomatic channels to Moscow open throughout Russia’s military build-up on Ukraine’s borders and invasion of its neighbor.

France’s stance has come with heavy criticisms from some world leaders, but Emmanuel Macron stood his ground by stating that France’s action is very vital to limiting damage from the war. Despite Emmanuel Macron’s move of trying to douse tension, he nevertheless accused the Russian leader of wanting to return Europe to empires of domination, without respect for the integrity of borders and nations’ right to decide for themselves. 

Mr. Macron has earlier said that Russia’s objective was “not Ukraine, but a clarification of the rules with Nato and the EU. He however hopes that his dialogue with the Russian president would yield something meaningful and that he believes Putin would be open to discussing wider issues and also seek ways to organize the evacuation of civilians from the heavily bombarded port city of Mariupol

Displeased with President Biden’s remark, the Kremlin stated that such harsh comments could harm bilateral relationships. I know Vladimir Putin’s attack on Ukraine was uncalled for, but then I quite agree with what Emmanuel Macron says about the avoidance of the use of harsh comments from further escalating the war.

Diplomacy is still the ideal way to end the war, although Putin has not shown willingness to end the war. Of course, world leaders have every right to condemn Putin’s action, but then I do not feel they can ever negotiate, communicate or engage in diplomatic efforts with offensive terminologies. The war has not only affected Russia and Ukraine, but it has affected other parts of the world. Its ripple effect is being felt globally, and what the world needs at this moment is peace and not war. So anything that will further escalate should be avoided.

Although some people have stated that using diplomatic means might be futile and not effective as Putin is refusing to show signs of willingness, of which they disclosed that negotiating with him was a waste of time. But let’s not forget that Russia has been opening its doors to its allies like France and Pakistan where their leaders get to have a tete-à-tete with the Russian leader. The ideal thing for these leaders to do is to use this influence to broker peace and demand a ceasefire from Russia which has to be the prerequisite for bringing the war to an end.